August 29, 2009

Dudes, it's seriously hot around these parts. It's currently 100 degrees and it's cooler than yesterday. Where is my fog? How about a single damn cloud? Awol. Our hot days are few and far between in my part of the world, so no AC. Just knitting talk to soothe that fevered brow.

I started the back of Phildar Pull 021-T9-14 aka Cable Cross Pullover. I've actally done more than what is shown in that uber crappy picture, but my first attempt was pulled out rather far along. I thought my gauge was pretty darn close, but when knitting something larger than a 10x10 cm square it turned out to be a tad bigger. I was getting a size larger than anticipated or wanted. Ripped and knit one size down to get the size I wanted. That seems to be working. It's odd, I'm a loose knitter but am using one size up needle than the one called for. Gauge is really close and my resulting fabric is nice. Oh well, it'll be fine. Phildar schematics are good and I'll be able to make a human fitting garment. At least my sweaty brain thinks so.

The sweater has a unique construction technique whereby you pick up and knit the center draped panel, but the rest of the sweater is pretty much business as usual. The front seams are "wrong" side out which I think is kind of fun and makes the panel drape correctly. I love the Malabrigo mostly solid with this pattern, it super soft and the subtle variegation is an interesting effect. I think I'll get some real wear out of this particular sweater. Onece it gets cold that is.

August 21, 2009

I've had a few days off work and I always think I'm going to do more than I actually do. When I make those mental lists while at work I think I'll have time to clean out the closet, wax the car, wax myself and sew and knit a whole new wardrobe. So far I've slept, got a filling from my wonderful dentist (no sarcasm there, he is wonderful), laundered uniforms...um...well you get the point.

I have been crafting, but not the sort of crafting that makes for interesting photos or reading. I'm still working on my second Anhinga sleeve and I cut out the cutest jacket in the world.

What is this "cutest jacket in the world" you ask? It's McCalls 5815 that I saw first on EricaB's inspirational sewing blog. Erica has great taste and lives about 1800 miles away, so I'm not really super duper copying her. I'm using a wool tweed in pink and gray from the stash that I actually remember buying at Stonemountain and Daughter. Not too recently, but I do remember that purchase. As Erica says, this jacket is a Nanette Lepore knockoff and hers turned out seriously adorable. I can't afford Ms. Lepore, but I can afford to make this jacket. I just hope I remember how to make a jacket, it's been awhile. So far I've done the cutting, fusing and am now marking. Oh prep work, how I love you...

Tomorrow I work (just one day) and will sadly miss my 49ers (yay for football being back!), so Sunday starts crafting in earnest. Crafting and football, two of my fave things.